3-star OL James Robinson – UT Signee 6, Profile/Analysis/Highlights

Posted on December 18, 2019

James Robinson

OL – Carver (Montgomery, AL) 6’4, 343
Commit 8/1/2019
Stars: 3 – 247Sports Composite / 3 – Rivals / 3 – ESPN

Josh Ward’s Analysis: Robinson was a big priority for Tennessee in the class. He has the look of an SEC lineman, and Tennessee’s coaches like his tenacity and the way he plays. He’ll have a chance to grow into a high-level SEC offensive lineman.

Eric Cain’s Analysis: Tennessee already lost two to the transfer portal and could lose two more scholarship offensive linemen during the offseason. Robinson’s size gives him a chance to add depth early on and has the upside to find the field during his time in Knoxville.

Highlights

Quick Facts From UT Athletics
Consensus Top 50 offensive line prospect according to recruiting services
The Montgomery Advisor 2019 “Big 12”
2018 Class 5A-7A All-Metro Honorable Mention
Athletic offensive lineman had offers from over 30 schools

3-star DB Doneiko Slaughter – UT Signee 5, Profile/Analysis/Highlights

Posted on December 18, 2019

Doneiko Slaughter

DB – Roswell (Roswell, GA) 6’0, 185
Committed: 12/14/2019
Stars: 3 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 3 – ESPN

Josh Ward’s Analysis: Tennessee needed to land Slaughter after defensive back Mordecai McDaniel switched his commitment to Florida. Slaughter is a former Arizona State commitment would could play cornerback or safety for Tennessee.

Eric Cain’s Analysis: UT had a pair of defensive backs decommit late in the process, so gaining Doneiko Slaughter was a must for Jeremy Pruitt. Slaughter is good against the run and plays bigger than his frame. He’s improved his coverage skills and will provide depth early on for Tennessee’s defensive-minded coaching staff.

Highlights

Quick Facts From UT Athletics
Helped Roswell to an 8-3 season in his senior campaign
Led team to Georgia AAAAAAA Round of 16
2019 4-AAAAAAA First-Team All-Region Defense
2018 4-AAAAAAA Second-Team All-Region Defense
2019 4-AAAAAAA Champion
Led team with eight sacks in 2018
Two-year starter for Roswell High School

4-star DB Key Lawrence – UT Signee 4, Profile/Analysis/Highlights

Posted on December 18, 2019

Key Lawrence

DB – Ensworth (Nashville, TN) 6’2, 202
Committed: 6/24/2019
Stars: 4 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 4 – ESPN

Josh Ward’s Analysis: Lawrence is one of the top athletes in this class and a high priority in the state of Tennessee. He’ll have a chance to come in and compete for playing time with the departure of Nigel Warrior. Lawrence will at least add immediate depth in the secondary.

Eric Cain’s Analysis: A top-3 rated player in the state of Tennessee, Lawrence will provide an immediate impact for the Volunteers next season – albeit even if only depth early on. The athlete from the mid-state is used to having the ball in his hands and turned in one of the better offensive performances across the state this season. Jeremy Pruitt loves defensive backs with ball skills. Lawrence should be an instant fit to his scheme.

Highlights

Interview With Lawrence’s High School Coach Roc Batten

Quick Facts From UT Athletics
2018 TSWA Second Team All-State Division II-AAA
Participated in Nike’s “The Opening” where he ran a 4.5 40-yard dash and recorded a 41-inch vertical leap
No. 66 rated player in the country and the top-rated player in the state of Tennessee in 247 composite rankings
2020 All-American Bowl Selection
2020 Polynesian Bowl
2018 First Team All-USA Tennessee First Team
Led Ensworth to the Tennessee Division II-AAA playoffs semifinals in 2019, totaling 37 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss
Had 766 rushing yards and seven scores as a junior in 2018

Thomas Rhett Taps Jon Pardi for Lite New Single, “Beer Can’t Fix” [Listen]

Posted on December 18, 2019

Thomas Rhett will try to score his 15th No. 1 single with the release of “Beer Can’t Fix,” featuring vocals from Jon Pardi.

The new tune, which will impact country radio on Jan. 6, is featured on TR’s new album, Center Point Road. The 16-song album takes its name from the street in his Tennessee hometown that shaped much of TR’s life experiences.

Penned by TR, Julian Bunetta, Zach Skelton and Ryan Tedder, “Beer Can’t Fix” was inspired by a golf outing.

“I was playing golf with one of my producers, Julian Bunetta, in Knoxville and we were both playing terribly, so we decided to drink a beer and suddenly we both started playing much better,” Thomas Rhett says. “Julian looked at me and said ‘Well, ain’t nothing a beer can’t fix’ and we both were like, ‘We have to write that.’ As soon as it was done I knew I wanted Jon on it. It’s basically about not taking life too seriously, and I just knew Jon’s voice would be the perfect addition to the song.”

Listen to “Beer Can’t Fix” below.

photo by O\’Connor, AFF-USA.com

3-star ATH Jabari Small – UT Signee 3, Profile/Analysis/Highlights

Posted on December 18, 2019

Jabari Small

ATH – Briarcrest Christian (Memphis, TN) 6’0, 195
Committed: 12/10/2019
Stars: 3 – 247Sports Composite / 3 – Rivals / 3 – ESPN

Josh Ward’s Analysis: Tennessee needs more help in the offensive backfield. Small is a playmaker who can help replace Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan after they leave and will have a chance to play next fall. Small could be a special teams contributor, too.

Eric Cain’s Analysis: Small’s quickest path to the field in 2020 could be on special teams and in the return game where UT coaches said he’d be given an opportunity. Outside of that, it’s a crowded backfield. 2021 and beyond, Small should play a key role at running back. He’s an all-purpose back that will work to run between the tackles.

Highlights

Quick Facts From UT Athletics
Led Briarcrest to the Tennessee Division II-AAA playoffs quarterfinals in 2019
2019 Division II-AAA Tennessee Mr. Football Finalist
2019 AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game Participant
2018 Division II-AAA All-State Team
No. 11 rated all-purpose back in 247 composite rankings
2019 Rushing Stats: 1,538 yards on 182 carries, 25 TD
2019 Receiving Stats: 342 yards on 23 receptions, 2 TD
Selected for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game

4-star RB Len’Neth Whitehead – UT Signee 2, Profile/Analysis/Highlights

Posted on December 18, 2019

Len’Neth Whitehead

RB – Athens Academy (Athens, GA) 6’2, 230
Committed: 12/18/19
Stars: 4 – 247Sports Composite / 3 – Rivals / 4 – ESPN

Josh Ward’s Analysis: Whitehead is a versatile athlete who could play on either side of the ball. Expect him to begin his college career at running back, but linebacker could be his ultimate position in college.

Eric Cain’s Analysis: Len’Neth Whitehead chose Tennessee over South Carolina after initially postponing his commitment announcement in mid-November. The athlete prefers to play running back and could start there at UT, but I’d expect to see him at linebacker at some point. He’s a good athlete with great size. Could be an instant contributor on special teams early on.

Highlights

Interview with Whitehead’s High School Coach Josh Alexander

Quick Facts From UT Athletics
Rushed for 1,481 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2018, while also starring at linebacker
Ranked No. 8 in state of Georgia by 247Sports
Invited to The Opening Finals in the summer of 2019
Had his senior season shortened due to injury, missing the final seven games
Helped lead Athens Academy to an 11-1 record and state quarterfinal appearance as a senior in 2019
Starred in track and field at Athens Academy and was a three-time state champion in the shot put. At one point was ranked No. 3 in the nation in the event

Chris Young, Charles Esten & Cassadee Pope Team With Musicians On Call & the Opry to Perform for Hospitalized Veterans

Posted on December 18, 2019

Chris Young, Charles Esten and Cassadee Pope teamed with the Grand Ole Opry and Musicians On Call to spread holiday cheer to veterans, caregivers and visitors at the Alvin C. York Campus of the VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn., earlier this week.

Cassadee performs during the Opry Circle Throwdown concert; photo courtesy of Shutter Views

In addition to taking part in a special Opry Circle Throwdown concert, the trio visited and performed for patients throughout the hospital as part of Musicians On Call, a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in hospitals across the country. Up-and-coming artists Liv Charette and Alexis Wilkins also performed for patients throughout the hospital.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Musicians On Call bringing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. To date, more than 170,000 individuals in Middle Tennessee have experienced the healing power of music. Volunteering artists have played for nearly 20,000 Veterans at the VA Medical Centers in Nashville and Murfreesboro.

photo courtesy of Shutter Views

4-star DL Omari Thomas – UT Signee 1, Profile/Analysis/Highlights

Posted on December 18, 2019

Omari Thomas

DL – Briarcrest Christian (Memphis, TN) 6’4, 306
Committed: 12/9/2019
Stars: 4 – 247Sports Composite / 4 – Rivals / 4 – ESPN

Josh Ward’s Analysis: Thomas is one of the most important prospects in Tennessee’s 2020 class. Jeremy Pruitt made Thomas a priority because of his position and ability to help Tennessee along the line of scrimmage. Thomas will most likely play on defense but could help as an offensive lineman if needed.

Eric Cain’s Analysis: Thomas has great size and good mobility that can translate to a number of different techniques across the defensive line’s 3-4 scheme. Prior to his commitment early last week, Dominic Bailey was the lone DL commit for the Volunteers. Landing Thomas is a huge get for Tennessee and should help add depth to an improving unit.

Highlights

Omari’s Interview with Josh Ward (12/18/19)

Omari’s Interview on Sports 180 Recently

Quick Facts From UT Athletics
Led Briarcrest to the Tennessee Division II-AAA playoffs quarterfinals in 2019
2020 All-American Bowl Selection
2019 Division II-AAA Tennessee Mr. Football
2019 Memphis TD Club Player of the Year
2018 All-USA Tennessee Football First Team Offense (OL)
2018 Division II-AAA Mr. Football finalist
No. 105 rated player in the country and No. 4 rated player in the state of Tennessee in 247 composite rankings
Also played basketball, tennis and track & field (shot put)
Nicknamed “Big O”
Raised money for the Down Syndrome Association of Mid-South, Autism Speaks and the Mowet-Wilson Foundation as a senior
Selected for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game

Video: Tennessee Football Bowl Practice 5 Footage

Posted on December 18, 2019

The Tennessee Volunteers were back out on the practice field on Tuesday ahead of the January 2, 2020 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in Jacksonville vs. Indiana. Here’s some video from Practice 5 in Knoxville.

UT Football / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal

Video: To’oto’o on Bituli “Me and him grew that bond together and loved each other throughout the whole season.”

Posted on December 18, 2019

Tennessee linebacker Henry To’oto’o spoke to reporters in a group session on Monday to discuss bowl practices and the season. Watch that interview below.